Does Kroger Have Coinstar in 2024? All You Need to Know

Kroger continues to provide Coinstar kiosks in over 2000 store locations as of 2023, giving shoppers a convenient option to convert spare change into cash, gift cards, or donations. But how exactly does Coinstar work at Kroger? And what are the costs and benefits of using these coin-counting machines? This in-depth guide has all the details you need on Kroger‘s Coinstar service today.

A Complete Overview of Coinstar at Kroger

Coinstar kiosks have been a fixture inside Kroger stores for years. The partnership provides customers with an easy way to handle loose change without having to visit a bank. Here‘s a quick rundown of how it works:

• Location: Machines are situated near checkout lanes for easy access.

• Services: Convert coins to cash vouchers, e-gift cards, or charitable donations.

• Fees: 11.9% processing fee for cash. No fee for gift cards or donations.

• Availability: Available in most but not all Kroger locations. Call ahead to confirm.

Now let‘s explore Kroger‘s Coinstar offerings in more detail.

Cashing in Coins for Instant Cash

The most popular Coinstar option is converting coins to instant cash vouchers. This on-the-spot payout makes Coinstar hugely convenient versus counting change manually or waiting in line at the bank.

According to Coinstar, 90% of users choose cash vouchers during transactions. And it‘s no wonder why – cash talks! Here‘s an overview:

• Fee: 11.9% of the total amount converted

• Payout: Printed voucher redeemable for cash at checkout

• Limits: Most kiosks have a limit of $5,000 in change per transaction

That 11.9% processing fee may seem steep. But considering the time and effort saved in counting, rolling, transporting, and depositing coins, many find it worthwhile.

Choosing an E-Gift Card Instead

Rather than cash, customers can opt to receive an e-gift card from Coinstar. Popular gift card choices include:

• Amazon
• Starbucks
• iTunes/App Store
• Walmart
• Home Depot
• And many more…

The key benefit here is no processing fee is charged when you choose a gift card instead of cash. This makes e-gift cards a smart way to put your spare coins to use if you frequent certain retailers.

According to Coinstar, roughly 8% of transactions result in gift cards. So while less common than cash, it remains a handy coin-counting option.

Donating Change to Charity

Finally, Coinstar allows charitable donations right from the kiosk. Some partner charities include:

• St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
• UNICEF
• Feeding America
• Local food banks

Like gift cards, donations incur no Coinstar fees. The kiosk will simply deduct a small processing fee from your total (around 10%), and the remainder goes straight to the selected charity.

Donations make up a smaller portion of transactions, but it‘s a noble way to discard spare change.

Step-By-Step Guide: How To Use Coinstar at Kroger

Using a Coinstar kiosk inside Kroger is designed to be quick and convenient. Follow these steps:

1. Find the Kiosk: Locate Coinstar near checkout lanes at your local Kroger store.

2. Choose Payout: Select cash voucher, gift card, or charity donation.

3. Accept Terms: Read and agree to Coinstar‘s terms, conditions, and fee info.

4. Add Coins: Pour coins into thetray. Avoid debris that could jam machine.

5. Remove Rejects: Take back any coins the machine didn‘t accept and re-insert.

6. Finish Transaction: For vouchers, take to cashier to redeem. For gift cards, keep claim code to redeem online.

And that‘s it – turn your spare change into spendable cash or gift cards in minutes!

Tips for Using Coinstar Successfully

To ensure a smooth transaction, keep these tips in mind:

• Check Kroger availability – Call ahead or go online to confirm your local Kroger has Coinstar

• Visit customer service – If you need help locating the kiosk or have questions

• Bring bags for transport – Carry and store coins securely in zipper bags

• Keep coins clean – Dirty or corroded coins may be rejected

• Insert coins slowly – Adding too many at once can jam the machine

• Double-check rejects – Ensure you re-insert any valid coins that were initially rejected

How Coinstar Benefits Kroger Customers

There are many advantages to having Coinstar available inside Kroger stores:

• Convenience – Easy access without making a special trip to the bank

• Speed – Transaction takes just minutes versus hours of rolling/counting coins

• Immediate payout – Convert coins to spendable cash or gift cards on the spot

• No bank required – Unbanked or underbanked customers can still cash in change

• Charity support – Provides an easy way to donate your spare change

• Bill-pay option – Some machines let you put change towards Kroger gift cards

For these reasons, Kroger customers have embraced the Coinstar self-service kiosks as a handy way to handle loose change.

How Does Kroger Coinstar Compare to Other Retailers?

Coinstar kiosks are also found at other major retailers like Walmart, CVS, Winn-Dixie, and Albertsons. How does Kroger compare?

Among these major chains, Kroger has the second highest number of locations offering Coinstar after Walmart. But CVS has the most widespread availability overall.

When it comes to fees, Kroger and Walmart share the same 11.9% processing fee for cash vouchers. So from a cost perspective, Kroger remains competitive.

The Bottom Line

Kroger‘s long-running partnership with Coinstar provides a valuable service for customers even today in 2024. The ability to quickly and easily convert coins into cash or gift cards at a self-serve kiosk inside the store is hugely convenient.

Just be aware of the standard 11.9% processing fee if you want cash back rather than a gift card or donation. And as always, call or check online first to confirm your neighborhood Kroger has an available Coinstar machine.